Victoria’s Strategy To Stop Violence Before It Starts

The Andrews Labor Government today launched the next step to build a state free from violence, with the release of a Primary Prevention Strategy as part of the Family Violence Rolling Action Plan.

Free from Violence: Victoria’s Strategy to Prevent Family Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women sets out the path for all Victorians to experience equality and respect in their homes, workplaces and communities.

The Royal Commission recognised the need for a state-wide Primary Prevention Strategy to address the attitudes and behaviours that lead to violence in the home.

Free from Violence takes a world-leading approach to changing the attitudes and behaviours that lead to family violence, and stops the violence from occurring in the first place. An initial investment of $38.7 million has been provided to support its implementation.

The Strategy will be supported by the establishment of a dedicated Prevention Agency to drive focus on prevention over the long-term.

With a further investment of $12 million in the Victorian Budget 2017/18, the Prevention Agency will­ develop, support and coordinate prevention initiatives across the state.

The Strategy was developed in close consultation with victim-survivors, prevention experts and family violence service providers and in conjunction with the Rolling Action Plan to drive family violence reform.

“Any form of violence against women in unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We have to change the behaviours of all people who resort to violence and make Victoria a safer place for everyone.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson

“Free from Violence is our plan for creating a safer Victoria and the dedicated Prevention Agency will ensure we focus on preventing violence before it begins.”

“Changing behaviour will not happen overnight. This Strategy will look beyond the usual whims of electoral budget cycles.”

“What TAC has done for road accidents we want the Prevention Agency to do for family violence. By ensuring long-term behavioural change campaigns, we can change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to family violence in Victoria.”